Much hope for Hu Jintao-Lien Chan meeting
Leslie Fong, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore
A rare opportunity awaits top Chinese leader Hu Jintao and visiting Taiwanese opposition leader Lien Chan to change the course of Chinese history -- by agreeing to a form of words that commits Beijing to serious political reform as a prelude to reunification.
When they meet for talks April 29, the latter need only speak the truth -- that the majority of Taiwanese are unlikely to countenance returning to the Chinese fold unless the mainland is set on an irreversible path to democracy.
As a seasoned politician, he certainly has the skill not to put that across as a condition, much less an ultimatum.
In any case, even though he still wields considerable influence in Taiwan as head of the Kuomintang (KMT), he is in no position to make demands or promises.
But as someone whom the Chinese leadership is prepared to listen to, he can argue a persuasive case for Beijing to commit itself to a time-table for democratization to facilitate reunification talks. For a start, he might point to the need for China to strengthen the rule of law, an undertaking which Beijing knows all too well it has to pursue with the greatest of vigor to gain investor confidence, if nothing else.
He could also suggest that the time-table stipulate the progressive introduction of free elections for public office at levels higher than village or urban districts.
It would be unreasonable for anyone to expect details now. An unequivocal declaration of intent should suffice to start the process in earnest.
If Lien can pull that off, his visit to China, which has already helped to lower cross-strait tension, will go down in history as a major watershed.
He has nothing to lose and everything to gain -- for the Chinese nation, the KMT and himself.
The presidency, a life-long goal for him, is now beyond his reach. He has also said he will hand over the KMT chairmanship to a younger man and, with that, exit the political stage.
But if he can play a role in helping to start China on its long journey to democracy, he will have done the Chinese people a momentous service -- a glorious rounding off after a life devoted to country and people.
For President Hu, this may also be the chance he has been waiting for, if he truly believes that China's salvation lies in true political reform.
Reunification is so sacrosanct a national goal for China that no one, not even those who covet his job, can cavil at the means deemed necessary to achieve it, especially if the alternative is war. If he can seize the moment and signal to Taiwan and the world that democracy is also what a united China wants, he too will have earned his place in history.
The writer, a former editor of The Straits Times, is executive vice-president of marketing at Singapore Press Holdings.